The Fort Wayne Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 124 Political Action Committee will on Thursday endorse Republican Tim Smith in the upcoming mayoral election.

It's the first time the union PAC has endorsed a mayoral candidate in 16 years.

"As we have gotten to know Tim Smith over the course of this past year, we have come to appreciate his openness and honesty," the PAC said in a news release. "We look forward to the opportunity to work with and for him in the near future."

Specifically, the union PAC believes Smith "will be a visionary for public safety, the community" and will be an effective city leader.

The PAC will formally announce its endorsement at 4 p.m. Thursday at the union hall, located at 1405 Broadway.